Articles tagged with Cancer Medication
Medical errors are a leading cause of death in the US, with estimates suggesting 210,000 to 400,000 deaths per year among hospital patients. Experts call for better reporting and strategies to reduce medical errors, including making errors more visible and having remedies at hand.
Researchers warn that herbal remedies containing Aristolochia, used for over 2,000 years, can lead to kidney cancer and other health issues in genetically susceptible individuals. The authors call for global action to evaluate the safety and efficacy of botanical products.
Dr. Peter Jones, Chief Scientific Officer at Van Andel Research Institute, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his outstanding contributions to cancer research and epigenomics. His work focuses on developing novel approaches to cancer treatment and alleviating suffering from the disease.
A study by Sebastian Salas-Vega and Elias Mossialos found a wide variation in the value of cancer drugs across 9 countries, with the US spending more than others but witnessing one of the smallest improvements in cancer-related mortality. The authors calculated a $32.6 billion net positive return from cancer drug care in the US in 2014.
The primary method used to test compounds for anti-cancer activity in cells is flawed, according to a study by Vanderbilt University researchers. They have developed a new metric to evaluate a compound's effect on cell proliferation called the DIP rate, which overcomes the flawed bias in traditional methods.
A new study found that drinking water from private wells, especially those established before the 1950s, may contribute to elevated bladder cancer risk in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The researchers estimated that increasing cumulative arsenic exposure was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
Researchers have found that Hsp90 inhibitors specifically target and inactivate a mechanism used by prostate cancer cells to evade standard treatment. The findings suggest that these drugs could be effective in treating prostate cancers that have become resistant to treatment and started spreading.
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) highlights significant progress in lung cancer prevention, diagnosis, staging, and treatment in 2015. The organization introduces a comprehensive educational resource covering topics such as tobacco control, early detection, and immunotherapy.
Cancer drug costs have increased by six times over the past decade, with newly approved medications costing an average of $11,325 per month, compared to $1,869 for those introduced in 2000. This trend may impact patients' ability to access these drugs and their financial burden.
A recent cancer diagnosis was associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, peaking in the first week after diagnosis. The study also found increased use of psychiatric medications among patients with cancer, remaining elevated two years post-diagnosis.
A new University of Illinois study reveals that the shape of a tumor may play a significant role in determining whether cells can metastasize. The research found that curved edges and corners activate cancer stem cells, which are responsible for spreading cancer to other tissues.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute identify structural changes in estrogen receptor binding molecules linked to regulating cancer growth. The study reveals predictive features of ligand-specific signaling through the receptor, moving closer to developing more effective treatments for breast cancer.
Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for sepsis and other responses to infection by using tiny doses of a cancer drug. The new treatment may benefit millions worldwide who are affected by infections and pandemics.
Tumor cells switch to glycolysis, a form of anaerobic energy production, allowing them to continue growing even without new blood vessels. This discovery opens up new possibilities for long-term cancer treatments by inhibiting anaerobic energy production or transport of lactic acid.
A clinical trial shows that high-dose methotrexate improves survival rates for children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The use of steroid decadron is beneficial for younger patients, but not older ones, who are at a higher risk of osteonecrosis.
Researchers have uncovered a novel function of the gene PLK1 that promotes prostate cancer cell migration and metastasis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This discovery challenges previous understanding and highlights new potential targets for cancer therapies.
A new study identifies a small molecule that simultaneously inhibits signaling pathways activated by mutated RAS oncogenes, representing a new paradigm for targeting this elusive cancer gene. The discovery has significant implications for the treatment of RAS-driven cancers.
Researchers identified gene alterations that may explain treatment resistance in TNBC, suggesting a potential role for JAK2 inhibitors. The study found that JAK2 amplification was more frequent in chemotherapy-treated tumors and associated with poorer outcomes.
In a clinical trial, half of 25 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma experienced substantial tumor shrinkage lasting nearly three times as long as conventional chemotherapy. Several patients had no remaining evidence of disease. The results suggest that immunotherapy drugs may be effective for other virus-associated cancers.
A phase 2 clinical trial of pembrolizumab as a first-line systemic therapy for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma found that the treatment produced an objective response rate of 56% and sustained responses in 86% of patients. The study suggests that immunotherapy may be a promising approach for this aggressive type of skin cancer.
A 20-month-old girl's tumor regression shows promising evidence of the potential for LOXO-101 to provide significant benefit for pediatric patients with NTRK gene fusions. The patient achieved a 90% reduction in tumor size after receiving an experimental treatment.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed a new class of small molecule drug SI-2 that accelerates the destruction of cancer signaling molecule SRC-3, leading to slower cell proliferation and migration. The study suggests SI-2 has potential for improving cancer treatment with low toxicity to normal cells and animals.
Research found that delaying radiation therapy after surgery increases the risk of recurrent tumors in women with stage 0 breast cancer. Women who received radiation within eight weeks had a lower rate of recurrence compared to those who delayed treatment. The study suggests that timely radiation therapy is crucial for reducing the ris...
A recent study reveals that cancer patients and families perceive palliative care as synonymous with death, despite its benefits in improving quality of life. The researchers call for a rebranding of palliative care to address the stigma and promote earlier access to supportive care.
Researchers developed a new computer algorithm called REVEALER to identify groups of genetic variations associated with cancer cell activation and treatment responses. Using large tumor genomics database The Cancer Genome Atlas, REVEALER revealed new gene mutations linked to cancer development and treatment resistance.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have found a way to attack a process that tumor cells use to escape the effects of standard cancer drugs. The discovery highlights how targeting specific metabolic requirements of cancer cells can prove effective in their selective eradication.
Researchers create micro-sized gas bubbles coated with cancer drug particles that can be directed to a specific tumour using magnets and ultrasound. This innovative technique aims to overcome limitations of chemotherapy by delivering drugs directly to the core of the tumour.
Researchers discovered YEATS domain proteins as the first reader of histone lysine crotonylation, a critical epigenetic mark. This discovery has implications for human disease, particularly in cancers such as leukemia and glioblastoma.
Researchers identified mechanisms that allow TRK-fusion lung cancer cells to evade targeted therapies. Specific genetic changes, including amino acid positions in TRK fusion genes, confer resistance to LOXO-101. This study's findings may have implications for other kinase-driven cancers treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
A phase I study of LOXO-101 demonstrated efficacy in reducing tumors in six patients with TRK fusion-positive cancers, including sarcoma, thyroid, and non-small cell lung. The study showed significant tumor regression in all six patients, with one patient experiencing a 17% tumor reduction.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that guadecitabine, when combined with standard chemotherapy, is safe and may overcome resistance to irinotecan in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The study showed stable disease for most patients and a partial response in one patient.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center made significant progress in immunotherapy for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma, with longer response times than standard chemotherapy. Precision prevention of colorectal cancer showed that preventing diseases may not be 'one size fits all', highlighting the need for tailored approaches. Addit...
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center reported encouraging correlations between immunologic biomarkers and responses to treatment with nivolumab in the first-ever phase II clinical trial for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. Five patients treated with nivolumab experienced significant tumor size reductions.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed a modified flu virus that can re-sensitize resistant pancreatic cancer cells to chemotherapy. The virus enhances the efficacy of the drug by preventing cancer cells from repairing themselves, leading to increased cell killing with lower doses.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are developing a new strategy to combat cancer metastasis by targeting an enzyme called P-Rex1. Tumor cells produce high levels of P-Rex1, allowing them to spread and become mobile.
A recent mouse study found that antioxidants in certain antidiabetic medications can accelerate the spread of colon and liver cancer. The findings suggest that these medications, which are commonly used to treat diabetes, may not be safe for diabetic patients with cancer.
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine and Sanford Burnham Prebys discovered a human protein, NLRX1, that represses the innate immune response to HIV. This finding provides critical insight into improving HIV antiviral therapies and has implications for cancer treatment.
A study found that older black women are less likely to receive trastuzumab, a targeted drug improving survival by nearly 40%, than white women. Approximately half of women in the study did not receive any therapy, highlighting disparities in access to proven yet expensive treatment.
A new study found that married patients with cancer fare better than unmarried ones, but the benefits vary by demographics. Unmarried individuals, particularly men, experience higher mortality rates compared to their married counterparts. The study also showed that birthplace and acculturation impact cancer survivorship.
A public repository of patient-derived cancer models has been established to share this technique widely. The Public Repository of Xenografts (PRoXe) contains biopsy tissue collected from patients with leukemia and lymphoma, allowing researchers worldwide to access the portal and create PDX models for testing drugs.
Dendritic cells, the 'generals' of T cell responses, produce and release CTLA-4, a brake on T cells that inhibits anti-cancer responses. Removing this brake with ipilimumab enables robust T cell priming against cancer.
The study reveals a new activation mechanism for protein kinase G I (PKG I), which may prevent unnecessary inhibition and enhance its activity. This discovery could lead to the design of drugs that target PKG I, providing new therapeutic options for diseases associated with PKG I dysfunction.
A new study reveals that cancer cells can adapt to treatment by actively co-opting blood vessels from nearby tissues, leading to drug resistance. The researchers hope their findings will lead to the development of new therapies targeting vessel co-option, which could be particularly effective when used alongside existing treatments.
A new computational tool, parabolic personalized dosing (PPD), successfully tested in a pilot trial accurately predicts the optimal drug dose for an individual patient. PPD harnesses clinical data to account for various factors influencing drug response, including age, ethnicity, and genetics.
A metabolic pathway up-regulated in certain breast cancers promotes disease progression by activating the cell signaling protein Arf6, according to a recent study. Statin-like drugs may be effective treatments for patients whose tumors express high levels of Arf6 signaling proteins.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that afatinib significantly extended time to disease progression in patients with advanced urothelial cancer and at least one of two specific genetic abnormalities. The treatment also showed promise for patients without these mutations, although the response rate was lower.
Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) has shown protective effects in mice with burn injuries, stimulating G-CSF production to bolster immune cells' ability to fight bacteria. Increased neutrophil levels mediate this protection.
The Endocrine Society recommends against using compounded hormone medications, citing potential risks and side effects. FDA-approved treatments are considered safer and more effective for treating hormone disorders.
Researchers at VIB have discovered that killed tumor cells can be used as a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to prevent cancer cell growth. This finding opens up new perspectives for using necroptosis in immunotherapy and screening for cancer drugs that induce this type of immunogenic cell death.
A recent study discovered that microRNA miR-181a suppresses tumor cell proliferation and survival in highly aggressive large B-cell lymphomas by reducing NFkappaB signaling. This finding provides hope for developing novel therapies targeting this pathway.
Researchers discover circular RNAs involved in tumor growth and progression, suggesting a new path to cancer treatments. The study provides insights into the role of non-coding RNA in human biology and disease.
A recent study published in The BMJ has confirmed the association between diabetes drug pioglitazone and an increased risk of bladder cancer. The study analyzed data from over 145,000 patients treated with diabetics drugs between 2000 and 2013, finding a 63% increased risk of bladder cancer with pioglitazone use.
Researchers have discovered that a cancer drug can effectively treat venous malformations, a condition characterized by deformed blood vessels. The treatment uses a topical cream that targets the mutations causing VMs, offering new hope for patients with this often incurable condition.
A new tool, IMPACT, interprets whole-exome sequencing data to identify candidate genes linked to cancer and recommends FDA-approved targeted treatments. The tool has been validated in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, showing its potential to accelerate precision medicine.
Two studies by Penn researchers found that high out-of-pocket costs for specialty drugs reduce their use, particularly for cancer treatments. The studies suggest that cost-sharing policies under Medicare Part D are limiting access to life-saving therapies.
A team of scientists has identified a possible use for the leukemia treatment drug Imatinib in treating type 2 diabetes. Gleevec was found to lower insulin resistance by controlling PPARγ, reducing the risk of hyperglycemia and obesity.
Researchers found that cancer cells have a resilient ability to repair nuclear envelope rupture during cell migration, but this process compromises genomic integrity. The study highlights a potential weakness in metastatic cancer cells and an opportunity for developing novel anti-metastatic drugs.
Researchers have identified a link between adult-onset diabetes and certain cancers, highlighting the role of bromodomain (BRD) proteins. The study suggests that targeting BET proteins may be beneficial for both conditions.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that most female childhood cancer survivors can conceive, but male survivors are less likely to father a child due to chemotherapy exposure. Female survivors treated with certain drugs like ifosfamide and cisplatin may face challenges conceiving, particularly after age 30.
A new two-drug combination significantly reduces the number and size of precancerous polyps in the small intestine of hereditary cancer patients. Researchers found a 71% overall reduction in polyps, with most side effects being tolerable, offering a promising prevention treatment for this high-risk patient group.